Friday, December 31, 2010

Nothing like a trip to the Emergency Room to top off a trip to the Russian River.

He looks a bit like a monkey in a cage, doesn't he? Well, this little monkey may or may not have gotten into some prescription medication while he was "washing his hands" aka eating soap and otherwise making mischief in the bathroom. Better safe than sorry, right?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I took my new immersion blender (thanks Mom and Dad!) to the Russian River and made this great soup for Linda and Holden last night. Admittedly, it was quite delicious! And perfect for the cold and rainy night.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Because I've been ailing, I've spent a lot of time on my couch lately watching Netflix. And because it's the holiday season, I simply MUST recommend a movie I watched last night - without knowing it was the quintessential, bittersweet holiday romance.

Lovely, Still is - in a word - lovely. It features an 81-year-old Martin Landau and a 78-year-old Ellen Burstyn who should be held up as a beacon to actors everywhere. WATCH THIS MOVIE! And if you don't like it, please don't tell me as I'll refuse to listen.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I don't have cable TV. In fact, I don't know anyone who has cable TV. That said, I am a complete and utter Netflix junkie. For less than $20 a month, I get three DVDs and unlimited "watch now" downloads. This is particularly welcome when one is laid up for a week after "minor surgery."

Anyway, I've become enamored with two "new-to-me" series that I must recommend.

"Doc Martin" reminds me a lot of an English "Northern Exposure." Big-city doctor comes to a small-town and meets all its quirky, lovable residents. It's deadpan humor at its finest.

"Damages" is definitely darker. It's got a great ensemble cast: Glenn Close, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt and others and it's set at a cutthroat law firm. The words of the theme song are particularly apt: "When I am through with you, there won't be anything left." Dark and nasty - but in a good way.

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Union Square Sports Bar has become my go-to destination to watch sporting events I can't see on regular TV.

While they don't serve food (I don't count hot dogs and chips as food), they do let me bring in a bagel from around the corner. Their yummy bloody Marys are $6.50 and I always seem to find a WI native on the bar stool next to me.

Friday, December 3, 2010

My company had its annual holiday dinner last night at Zuppa. Admittedly, I was a bit dubious as Yelp's best reviews were about its happy hour.

But, I have to say, it was simply fantastic. We had appetizers, roasted root veggies and the best arugula salad EVER! We then shared pork and halibut entrees. Everything was served family-style, which I really like.

To top things off, I received a bag full of Meyer lemons from my Sacramento co-worker's tree. Awesome!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A few months ago, I started doing book reviews for The Associated Press. The pay is negligible, but it's great to be doing some writing again. I guess you can take the girl out of the AP, but you can't take the AP out of the girl.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Being a big geek ... and a bigger reader, I remember how thrilled I was to learn that I shared a birthday with Louisa May Alcott. This revelation likely prompted a phase when I refused to use electricity and chose to read by the light of an oil lamp. But I digress.

Apparently, I was born on a Saturday. (My mother probably remembers it much better than I do.)

Friday, November 26, 2010

I managed to find a recipe for an interesting, attractive and healthy veggie side dish for this year's Thanksgiving dinner - spinach and artichoke gratin.

Here's a shot of it before baking, but it looked equally lovely when it was hot. I left out the pimento, even though it would've added a nice touch of color. (I hate pimento!) Frankly, it was the smash hit of Thanksgiving dinner.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Insisting she enjoys doing things "the hard way," Louise and I got together for a first attempt at canning. Initially, I scared myself by reading too much online about bacteria, botulism and whatnot. But, what the heck ... women have been doing this for generations, right?

My kitchen isn't exactly spacious ...

And all the peeling, chopping and stirring was pretty time-consuming.

But the results were gorgeous. Two jars each of persimmon preserves and ginger-pear marmalade.

We finished the dilly beans in the dark, so no shots of those. I'll report back to let you know how everything tasted.

Friday, November 19, 2010

After dashing off to a meeting that actually took place a night earlier (doh!), Beth and I took advantage of the early hour and stopped at Colibri Mexican Bistro for a margarita and a snack.

Being the frugal gal I am, I immediately noticed the guacamole was $12. $12! But it was a huge bowl and Beth insisted there would be no way we'd eat it all ... blah blah blah. Well, we ordered the $12 guacamole and I must say it could very well be the best I've ever eaten. Big chunks of avocado, crunchy bits of jalapeno with just the right amount of heat and saltiness. Delish!

Monday, November 15, 2010

I don't eat nearly enough fruit. So, I stocked up yesterday at the farmer's market. The Asian pears were so very tasty, but not cheap. And persimmons! One of my favorite things about fall in SF. I also bought jicama, which wasn't very photogenic. I'll be mixing that with the clementines for a refreshing salad.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Margaret found herself in SF last night and I had no plans, so we were able to hang out and catch up.

She won free tickets to a comedy show at a new club not far from my apartment, so she dragged me kicking and screaming ... well, almost ... to hear comic Marga Gomez and friends.

I'm not usually a fan of live comedy, but after a bit of a slow start, Marga was great! There were only a handful of us in the audience, but we're hoping it will turn out to be one of those nights when we can look back and say, "Remember when?"

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Today began with a fundraising breakfast for my friend Linda's nonprofit organization, Streetside Stories. What an inspiring way to start the day.

The program sends "teaching artists" to low-income schools to help kids learn to tell their own stories - through words, pictures and video. Linda's been executive director there for nine years and has led the program through incredible growth. Yay, Linda!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

I think I want a Kindle. There. I said it.I LOVE books. I love how they look, how they smell, how they feel. I remember the day I got a library card. I think I was 6. Mom?

If I don't have at least three unread books on a trip, my palms get sweaty. Really. I've sought out English language bookstores everywhere from Egypt to Russia to Vietnam. So, a Kindle appeals greatly to my practical side. My friends who own the devices assure me I'd only use it for traveling. We shall see.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Paula Cole opened her show at Yoshi's last night by thanking the audience of about 250 people for remembering her. I thought, "Of course we remember you." But when she belted out some of her older songs, I was reminded of her huge talent.

I saw her perform in 1997 in S.C. - before she broke into "Lilith Faire." Her look, her voice and her songwriting has matured, but she still channeled her inner rocker chick. It was a great show!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

I don't think I've ever seen anything like the Giants parade in SF today! I took a vacation day and, boy, what a smart move! It was 70 degrees, sunny and gorgeous as tens of thousands of people lined the parade route.

The crowds were insane, but everyone was happy - decked out in orange and black. I met people who traveled from places like Ukiah, Sacramento and San Jose to attend.

About Me

I love my adopted city of San Francisco. I've lived here since 1998. When I'm not working, I love going out to hear live music, staying home to read a book (or three!) running, making dinner for friends and yoga. Guilty pleasures: America's Next Top Model, a ballpark hotdog with sauerkraut and drinking wine in my pajamas.